How We Keep Our Cats Safe From The Weather In Our Outdoor Enclosures

SOMEONE ASKED HOW OUR CATS ARE KEPT SAFE FROM THE WEATHER IN OUR OUTSIDE ENCLOSURES
 
At the Duncan Home For Wayward Cats we strive to provide our cat guests and cat residents with the best possible experience via our secure outdoor enclosures (catairiums).
 
 
We despise using kennels except when necessary for acclimation, medication or time-out isolation. Generally, we only use 96″ x 30″ x 27″ kennels. We have found that for some reason, cats who are stressed and scared in a 48″ x 30″ kennel are much more relaxed in a 96″ x 30″ kennel. The larger space also allows us to add lounging shelves and other enrichment for them.
 
 
I hypothesize that the 96″ space is big enough that they do not feel trapped like they do in a 48″ or smaller space. However, we still only keep them confined in a kennel as long as necessary.
 
 
Often when we open the kennel doors so they are free to get out, they just stay inside looking at the open door and later when they finally do venture out they will return to their deluxe kennel a short while later. The point being that if they felt trapped, they would NOT return to the space they felt trapped in, so the larger space makes a huge difference for them.
 
 
That all said, our goal is to provide all the cats with as much space and enrichment as possible plus access to an outdoor experience – if they want it – (some do not) while keeping them safe.
 
 
All the catairiums are connected to the main house or the Feral building via secure tunnels. Cats have the option of going indoors to a cooled or heated space when they prefer.
 
 
Each catrium is covered with 20-millimeter clear vinyl and 20-millimeter white tarps strategically positioned to block most of the direct Texas sunlight that is not already blocked by the shade trees.
 
 
Nearly all the catairiums are located under shade trees, which makes a very nice environment most of the time.
 
 
Inside the catairiums are over 50 heating pads and heated cathouses set to come on when the temperature drops low enough.
 
 
As hotter Texas summer weather arrives, the wi-fi-enabled, temperature-controlled exhaust fans automatically come on when the temperature rises above 70 and they create a brisk windflow through each catairium, pulling in cooler air from shaded areas.
 
 
Should the temperature go too high, a warning is sent to my phone.
 
 
However, should the temperature become uncomfortable for the cats, they can choose to go in the house or the Feral building, which are air-conditioned.
 
 
The clear vinyl covering and tarps provide a rain-free space with minimal direct Texas blowtorch sunlight while providing an engaging view for the cats of the outside world of birds, squirrels, and more.
 
 
We even have picnic tables and rocking chairs inside each catairium that can be used by people to hang out with the cats — as long as no cats are using them. 🙂 
 
 
This video is of one of our 40 x 10 ft enclosures. We have another 40ft enclosure, four 20 x 10 ft enclosures, and a 90 x 10 ft enclosure, the feral building 30 x 20 ft and the main house.
 
 
So that is how we keep the cats safe in our outdoor enclosures.
 
 
Oh, and the barking is Mandy the one-eyed dog, our current mascot. 🙂